A Scratch-Tile Bank of 1934
The Musashino Bank Gyoda Branch (武蔵野銀行行田支店店舗) is a reinforced concrete bank completed in 1934 in Gyoda, Gyoda City, Saitama Prefecture, which in 2005 was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property.
The Agency for Cultural Affairs records two storeys and a basement with a building area of 281 square metres, owned by Musashino Bank and registered as a model of design.
The Agency notes that it was built for the Oshi Savings Bank, designed and built by Ogawa-gumi.
Structure
According to the Agency, a double-height banking hall faces the national road. The walls are faced in scratch tile, with decorated cast stone around the openings and on the cornice.
Gyoda City notes that, reflecting the strong northwesterly winter winds of Gyoda, there is no entrance on the west and far fewer windows than on the east. A dentilled cornice, tall latticed windows and round relief panels above them are characteristic.
What to Look For
The Agency calls it a fine example of an early Showa regional bank. Gyoda City records completion on 28 June 1934, sale in 1944 to a tabi sock wholesaler, use after the war as the Tabi Hall, and use as the Musashino Bank Gyoda branch from 1969.
The city values it as one of the few surviving prewar reinforced concrete banks in Saitama Prefecture.
Visiting the Musashino Bank Gyoda Branch
Gyoda City says only the exterior is open to view.
Enquiries: Gyoda City cultural properties section, 048-553-3581.
Q&A
- When was the building completed?
- On 28 June 1934.
- What was it built as?
- The Oshi Savings Bank.
- What does it look like?
- Scratch-tile walls with decorated cast stone and a dentilled cornice.
- Why is there no west entrance?
- To shield against strong northwesterly winter winds, according to Gyoda City.
- When did it become Musashino Bank?
- In 1969.
Basic Information
| Name | Musashino Bank Gyoda Branch (武蔵野銀行行田支店店舗) |
|---|---|
| Location | 4-2 Gyoda, Gyoda City, Saitama Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (building) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2005/11/10 (Heisei 17) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Reinforced concrete, two storeys and one basement, building area 281 square metres |
| Owner | Musashino Bank, Ltd. |
| Public Access | Exterior only |
References
- Agency for Cultural Affairs Database: Musashino Bank Gyoda Branch (Japanese)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/101/00004947
- Cultural Heritage Online: Musashino Bank Gyoda Branch (Japanese)
- https://online.bunka.go.jp/heritages/detail/118027
- Gyoda City: Musashino Bank Gyoda Branch (Japanese)
- https://www.city.gyoda.lg.jp/soshiki/shougaigakusyubu/bunkazaihogo/gyomu/rekishi_bunkazai/1/2318.html
Last verified: 2026.09.29